by Emily Van Cleve
invite an array of summer flowers into your home
FLOWING FIELDS OF COLOR for as far as the eye can see. Undulating aisles of tulips in Lisse, Netherlands. Rolling rows of lavender in Provence, France. Sweeping fields of poppies in Antelope Valley California. Stands of sunflowers in Tuscany, Italy. The world’s leader in flower production, the Netherlands alone produces more than three billion tulips yearly. We love flowers, and floral arrangements date back to 2,500 BCE, when Egyptians regularly decorated with cut flowers and used them for ceremonies and burials as well as for simple table decor.
Floral design is as imaginative as any other creative endeavor, with celebrity floral designers taking to HGTV, Netflix and more, as well as lists of the top wedding floral designers clogging brides’ inboxes. But you don’t have to be an A-Lister or a bride to enjoy fabulous florals—just cut them from your garden or stop by your favorite petal place for a bouquet.
Summer is the perfect time to bring eye-catching blossoms into the home. The varieties found at local florists come in various hues, including vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. Flowers such as dahlias, marigolds, zinnias, hydrangeas, pincushions, geraniums, cornflowers and cosmos are readily available at floral shops around town. If you’re unsure which blooms you love best, Lynne Maphies, designer at Agave Florist at Nob Hill, suggests experimenting by buying one or two stems of several different varieties. “See what catches love,” she says.
Most commercially grown varieties have little or no fragrance, but if allergies are a concern, consult your florist. “Some people are allergic to Oriental lilies, which have a strong smell,” says Andy Ray, who manages Melba’s Flowers in Albuquerque. “If so, Asiatic lilies are a good choice because they’re unscented.”
There are many captivating ways to display flowers in the home, says Kristin Sargent, co-owner of Barton’s Flowers in Santa Fe. Some people like traditional glass vases, while others prefer letting their imaginations guide their choices. “You can think outside the box and put flowers in all kinds of vessels that aren’t ordinarily used for flowers, such as an antique teacup or pitcher,” she says.
Ray has noticed that brass, glass and ceramic compotes—footed bowls with or without handles— have become popular receptacles for arrangements. Displaying a cluster of little containers with single stems on a bookshelf, kitchen island or windowsill can add pizzazz to the space.
Maphies was particularly pleased with a vase of lilacs she carried from room to room this spring. “Why not have flowers in the bedroom,” she says. “When I turn on my bedroom light and see flowers on the nightstand, I feel rejuvenated.”
Trim the stems, make sure the water stays fresh, and keep flowers away from any heat sources, including direct sunlight, to keep your posies perky for the perfect summer decor.
resources
Agave Florist at Nob Hill
Barton’s Flowers
Melba’s Flowers
